Plato's Philebus and some 'value of knowledge' problems

Abstract

In modern epistemology, one 'value of knowledge' problem concerns the question why knowledge should be valued more highly than mere true belief. Though this problem has a background in Plato, the present paper, focused on Philebus 55-9, is concerned with a different question: what questions might one ask about the value of knowledge, and what question( s) does Plato ask here? The paper aims to articulate the kind(s) of value Plato here attributes to 'useless' knowledge, knowledge pursued without practical object; and why, according to him, there is value in being a knower. Though his answer to this question requires commitments we may resist, it has a structure of general philosophical interest.